Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Major General Paul L. Williams
April 16, 1894 - March 3, 1968
— Hall of Fame Inductee - 2017 —
Photographed By Thomas Smith, July 1, 2021
1. Major General Paul L. Williams Marker
Inscription.
Major General Paul L. Williams. April 16, 1894 - March 3, 1968. General Williams was one of the Air Force's most experienced airborne tacticians. He was awarded his pilot wings in Feb 1918 and served in pursuit bomber and training squadrons, during world war two, he planned the employment of air transport squadrons supporting the invasion of North Africa. He commanded the 51st troop carrier wing and planned the airborne portion of the invasion of Sicily. In Feb 1944, he was named commanding General, IX troop carrier command. On D-Day he directed an air armada of more than 1,000 C-478 and 900 Gliders, His theather transport forces became reliable mainstay as the Allies advanced from Normandy into Germany, He directed operation varsity that included the largest single day airborne drop in history. Following the War, Williams commanded 3rd and 9th Air Force. General Williams innovation developing tactics for airborne operations set the foundation for AMC'S airdrop capability.
General Williams was one of the Air Force's most experienced airborne tacticians. He was awarded his pilot wings in Feb 1918 and served in pursuit bomber and training squadrons, during WWII, he planned the employment of air transport squadrons supporting the invasion of North Africa. He commanded the 51st troop carrier wing and planned the airborne portion of the invasion of Sicily. In Feb 1944, he was named commanding General, IX troop carrier command. On D-Day he directed an air armada of more than 1,000 C-478 and 900 Gliders, His theather transport forces became reliable mainstay as the Allies advanced from Normandy into Germany, He directed operation varsity that included the largest single day airborne drop in history. Following the War, Williams commanded 3rd and 9th Air Force. General Williams innovation developing tactics for airborne operations set the foundation for AMC'S airdrop capability.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1918.
Location. 38° 32.408′ N, 89° 51.815′ W. Marker is in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Memorial is on Main Street west of B Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Heritage Dr, Scott Air Force Base IL 62225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 13 times this year. Photo1. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
